u.s. job search for intl students - international center slides

8/13/2019 U.S. Job Search for Intl Students - International Center Slides

1/13

U.S. Job Search Information for

International Students

Fall 2013

Presenter: Elena Gruzdeva

International Student & Scholar Advisor

International Center


2/13

J-1 Employment Before & After Graduation

Academic Training

Definition Work, training, or experience related to a students field of study

Timing Before or after completion of studies

Length

May not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study

Usual length is 18 months cumulative

May have extra 18 months if complete PhD

Application Process See International Center website

Final authorization is issued in International Center

Cost None


3/13

F-1 Employment before Graduation

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Definition Temporary employment directly related to a students field of study

Timing Before completion of studies

Length May not delay completion of studies

Doing a lot of full-time CPT may interfere with OPT

Application Process

1. Take online CPT course on International Center website2. Find opportunity and get offer letter

3. Gather documentation and register for CPT course, if necessary

4. Request CPT authorization from ICissued in our office

Cost None


4/13

F-1 Employment after Graduation

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Definition Temporary employment directly related to a students field of study

Timing Typically saved for after completion of studies

Length Begins at 12 months, if you apply on time

May be eligible for Cap Gap or 17-Month extension

Application Process

NO JOB OFFER REQUIRED TO APPLY

1. Take online OPT course on International Center website

2. Gather documentation

3. Request OPT I-20 from I-Center (2 weeks processing)

4. Mail application to U.S. government (up to 3 months processing)

Cost Currently approx. $400 incl. fee to U.S. government, photos, shipping


5/13

OPT Timing

Refer to OPT Online Course for Detailed Timelines


6/13

17-Month Extension of OPT

Check if your program/major is on the list

I-20, top of p. 2, Primary Major e.g. 14.0101

Look up the code at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm

Ask your (potential!) employer if they participate in

the e-Verify system

An average recruiter, hiring manager, or boss will likely not know Ask that they check with Human Resources

There is now a public list at uscis.gov (under E-Verify section), but

it is updated only quarterly, employers legal name used in E-

Verify may be different from its public business name, etc.For more information, search internationalcenter.umich.edu for OPT extension
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htmhttp://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm


7/13

Intro to H-1B

The H-1B immigration status/visa is: For temporary workers in specialty occupations

Sponsored by the employerthey apply and pay for it

Typically what people mean by a working or employment visa

Theres a limit (cap) on H-1Bs for private business 65,000 regular + 20,000 masters level or higher/year

No cap for colleges/universities and some non-profits

Sponsoring an H-1B is a commitment for the company Must meet government requirements

Lots of paperwork

Money: thousands of dollars for attorney and filing fees


8/13

H-1B Timeline

Companies can only file beginning April 1 Good economymany applications on 4/1, do a lottery

Bad economymay take applications throughout the summer andeven into the fall

e.g., in 2011, the cap was filled on Nov. 22nd

in 2012, the cap was filled on June 11

in 2013 the cap was filled on April 5 (had to do lottery selectionfor petitions received between April 1 and April 5)

Company employees can start as of October 1

If OPT expires between H-1B filing and 10/1, may be eligible forextension to cover the gap

Search internationalcenter.umich.edu for Gap Gap for details

No time limits on colleges/universities, some non-profits

To search for companies that file for H-1B:

http://h1b-visas.findthecompany.com/


9/13

Employment Eligibility ?s

Are you legally eligible to work in the U.S.?

We recommend you answer "yes" if you have authorization,are eligible to apply, or have an application pending.

Expect to be asked for more detail in an interview.

Clarify the status of your employment authorization, e.g.

I can apply for the CPT authorization from my school once I have ajob offer; I can provide my authorization ~2 weeks later.

My OPT application has been pending for 2 months and thereported average processing time is 3 months.

For assistance, contact an International Student/Scholar Advisor at [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


10/13

Employment Eligibility ?s

Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?

If you have the intention of working for this companybeyond the expiration of your F-1/J-1 student status, you

should answer yes.

Even if you dont intend to work for the company long-term,be aware the employer may have a different perspective.For example, an employer that hires summer interns may

have an intention of extending full-time job offers toqualified candidates after graduation. Employers mayexpect you to answer yes because you would eventuallyrequire visa sponsorship if you were to continue employmentbeyond the expiration of your F-1/J-1 status.


11/13

Change Your Mind Now

Its hard to get employment

authorization.It was hard to get to this point.

This is not harder.

Employers dont want to hire

international students.Employers want to hire the right people.

International students cost more to hire.Qualified candidates cost more to hire.

I have to compete against U.S.

candidates.U.S. candidates have to compete against

you.


12/13

For More Information

Visit our web site at:

http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu

You may take the online courses on CPT and

OPT for information or attend Empl.

Authorization Options and OPT Info Session

workshops (watch for e-mails)

Consult an International Student and Scholar

Advisor (ISSA) at the IC with questions

Note: MI law prohibits ISSAs from giving H-1B advice,

except as directly relates to your F-1/OPT status.
http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/


13/13

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)www.uscis.gov

Department of State (DOS)www.travel.state.gov

IC H-1B FAQ -www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/h1bvisa/faq.html

Fragomenwww.fragomen.com

Law Offices of Irani & Wisewww.iraniwise.com

Law Offices of Afaf Vicky Farahhttp://www.afafvickyfarah.com/index.htm

Additional Resources
http://www.uscis.gov/http://www.travel.state.gov/http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/h1bvisa/faq.htmlhttp://www.fragomen.com/http://www.iraniwise.com/http://www.afafvickyfarah.com/index.htmhttp://www.afafvickyfarah.com/index.htmhttp://www.iraniwise.com/http://www.fragomen.com/http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/h1bvisa/faq.htmlhttp://www.travel.state.gov/http://www.uscis.gov/

u.s. job search for intl students - international center slides

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